Your concerns are correct. I've been wearing lenses ever since I was 11 y/old. My eyes started to become irritated after 20 years or so. I got ARTIFLEX implant contacts a few years ago. An eye-opener! (And removeable, instead of Laser-treatment).

If you don't mind, how are you finding the ARTIFLEX implants? I recently got consulted for LASIK and my prescription is too strong (-12.5 and no signs of stopping) for that to be an option. The semi-permanent nature of the ARTIFLEX implants really interest me, because should my prescription get even worse I could theoretically replace the lenses.

Did you have any complications? Is the procedure any more risky than LASIK?

No problem. - 13/14 here. The procedure takes about 10 / 15 min. and is done one eye at a time. Procedure in the morning, I was able to see again for a bit in the eavening, and almost good again the next day. The cut is so small it doesn't even require stiching. (The lens is flexible and is folded before inserting). I do think your eyes need to be stable at least a few years though. My vision was 120% (felt like that guy in "Interview with a vampire" who gets bitten and sees everything in a new way. Even gave me a bit of a headache, so sharp. This stabalises after a few weeks, to 100%). The halo's were annoying, especially when stepping in to a dark enviroment (a pub). In the beginning driving a car at night HURTS your eyes, because the pupil contracts a lot. Yellow glasses help.

A few years later my retina ripped at the back and inside of my eye. That can happen when you've got -13/14. They were able to operate on me because the doctos knew I could take it, I've had these implants and was like a statue then. Only difference was, that time it lasted 3 hours, was during midnight and they drained my eye. (Lesson: Don't take static black spots lightly).